Pretzel machine



Nov. 6, 1956 H, ALLEN r AL 2,769,407

PRETZEL MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 12 Sheets-Sheet l W m H 1 42 a 5 N d f .9\ {i 1 I 1 l II INVENTOR HOWARD e. ALLEN OWEN M. HUDSON Nov. 6, 1956 ALLEN AL 2,769,407

PRETZEL MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 T 22 7 I 24 W O O O O O O O O I O O O o O 24 INVENTOR HOWARD G. ALLEN BY OWEN M. HUDSON ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN ET AL 2,769,407

PREJTZEL MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR HOWARD G. ALLEN BY OWEN MJHUDEON ATTORN Y Nov. 6, 1956 ALLEN ET AL 2,769,407

PRETZEL MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed 'Dec. 29, 1945 INVENTOR HOWARD e. ALLEN BY OWEN M HUDSON g z ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN Er AL 2,769,407

PRETZEL. MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 INVENTOR HOWARD G. ALLEN BY OWEN M. HUDSON ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 H, ALLEN -r AL 2,769,407

PREZTZEL MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Dec'. 29, 1945 INVENTOR HOWARD G. ALLEN ATTORNEY OWEN M. HUDSON Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN El AL 2,769,407

PRETZEL. MACHINE R Y m w: w 7 N N R Nm E S O Q5 A H A S fir QQN G M M Q mm a MM 2 O l H lilll Y B M. N 9 l w .3% www .wsm; 7 m d Original Filed Dec.

Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN El AL PRETZEIL MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 INVENTOR HOWARD G. ALLEN BY OWEN M. HUDSON ATTORNEY Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN ET AL PRETZEL MACHINE Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN El AL PRETZEL. MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 ori inal Filed Dec. 29, 1945 INVENTOR HOWARD G. ALLEN ATTORNEY OWEN M. HUDSON BS \wviow 1 JELVEAKDIZHCJLJLICJULJS k n Nov. 6, 1956 H. G. ALLEN El AL PRETZEL MACHINE wk! i Fl ll num w mm n TY mmw A mmw lma. imm Sm. .wmw xm wN Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 Y m w M TN n .52 w E -D T a WLU T m IAH A. G M m ON I mm "m. W0 2 O l H Nov. 6, 1956 ALLEN ET AL 2,769,407

PRETZEL MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed Dec. 29, 1945 HOWARD G; ALLEN- OWEN M. HU\DQN v ATTORNEY United States Patent O 2,769,407 PRETZEL MACHINE Howard G. Allen, Niagara Falls, and Owen M. Hudson, Kenmore, N. Y., assignors to American lgllachme & Foundry Company, a corporafion of New ersey Original application December 29, 1945, Serial No. 638,230, now Patent No. 2,629,340, dated February 24, 1953. Divided and this application February 16, 1953, Serial No. 337,962

11 Claims. (Cl. 107-8) for delivering elongated dough sticks to the pretzel tying mechanism.

A principal object of the invention is to reduce the number of Working parts in a machine of this character, as compared with prior machines of this type, .to thereby facilitate and simplify the control of, and make more positive, the operations of the pretzel stick handling and pretzel forming mechanism.

A further object is to take advantage of its simplified construction and control to enable the machine to be operated at high speed without interference between moving parts and without distortion of the dough sticks during the formation of the pretzel. Moreover by reduction in the number of wearing parts misalignment and faulty operation is reduced to a minimum and a steady production of pretzels of high quality and uniform form is assured.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a machine with novel means to eliminate the breakage of the dough sticks which occurred with dry dough in pretzel making machines of the type having a horizontal support provided with stationary projecting elements, such as dome shaped members, or arcuate lips, about which the end portions of an elongated dough stick were looped and then twisted together before being tacked to the main portion of the stick. When a dough stick formed of very dry dough is looped about said elements or lips nicks are formed in it, as at the corners of the lips, and the stick tends to break at these nicks, since the stick is stretched during the formation of the loops and the twisting thereof together. Moreover, if the stick does not break, the sections of the dough stick extending from the projecting elements to the grippers which loop and twist the stick end portions together are excessively stretched and become much thinner than the main portion of the stick and are more fragile. The excessive stretching of the end portions of the stick results, because the portions of the dough stick extending along the lips or elements tend to stick to the same and hence are not stretched during the formation of the loops and the knot.

In our construction the ends of the dough sticks are looped about movable members such as rollers which are free to turn while the end portions of the stick are drawn about the same when the loops are formed and twisted together. Therefore, breakage of the dough sticks will be avoided. Moreover, the stretching 'of the loops caused during their formation and twisting will turn the movable members or rollers so that the sections of the stick which are behind as well as in front of the rollers will be elongated. Accordingly the stretching of the sticks may be distributed over longer sections thereof and the loops so formed will have a greater diameter and be less fragile.

Patented Nov. 6, 1956 If during the operation of the pretzel making ma= chine, its normal operation is interfered with, as by mechanical failure, or loosening of a part, or by the accidental presence of a foreign body in the machine, any of which occurrences may act to cause overloading or strain, it is desirable to provide means to automatically stop the machine.

Another object of the invention, therefore, is to provide improved and'simple mechanism to stop the pretzel tying mechanism and divert the dough sticks, which are delivered to the pretzel tying mechanism for formation into pretzels, in the event of such an overload. It has been found, for example, that when the pretzel making machine becomes worn the arms which carry the gripper fingers interfere with each other and thus cause breakage of various parts of the machine. More specificallyg'another object of the invention is the provision of means to take care of overloads, and for this purpose the pretzel tying mechanism is driven through an overload release clutch which will be disengaged to automatically stop the pretzel tying mechanism when overloading occurs and automatically operate a member adapted to deflect the dough sticks being delivered to the pretzel tying mechanism.

A further object of the proved mechanism for depositing the pretzels delivered from the pretzel tying mechanism in either a single or double row upon a traveling conveyor. To this end the pretzels are delivered from an upper grid upon which they are formed to a lower grid which is inverted to deposit the pretzels upon the traveling conveyor. This lower grid is also provided with a novel construction of an impact member on which the knot portion of the pretzel is dropped. Other adjustable conical members coact to assist in retaining the shape of the pretzel. For delivery of a double row of pretzels on the conveyor the lower grid moves from a pretzel receiving position underlying the upper grid to delivery positions at either side of the receiving position. The lower grid is inverted at its delivery positions and the pretzels drop on the conveyor to form two rows of pretzels thereon.

Still another object of the invention is to reduce to a minimum the back lash of the mechanism driving the parts operating the grippers of the pretzel tying mechanism. With the constructions used on prior pretzel making machines, the back lash is sufficiently amplified after wearing of the machine to cause interference of the grippers of the pretzel tying mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the pretzel tying mechanism with an improved construction of the gripper fingers. Formerly the gripper fingers were shaped to straddle the underlying portions of the pretzel to which the loop ends were tacked in order not to indent said underlying pretzel portions. However, the former construction of the gripper fingers produced indentations of considerable size in the portions of the loop ends in side the portions tacked to the underlying pretzel portions, because the gripper fingers were in different relation to the loop ends when they moved them into tacking position. Moreover, when the machine was worn, the gripper fingers would not straddle the underlying pretzel portions and would indent the same.

With our improved construction of the gripper fingers their tips overlie but do not descend into contact with the portions of the pretzel to which the loop ends are tacked, and therefore do not indent or mar such portions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide readily demountable constructions of the pick-up bar and the star wheel; also to circulate a blast of air under the dough sticks in the same, to prevent sticking of the dough sticks invention is to provide im- 7 transfer plate of Fig. 28 in of pretzels;

' sticks.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in 'view the invention consists of certain constructions and combinations which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the machine, illustrating the tying head and related parts;

Figs. 2 6are views illustrating the succession of steps in forming a stick of dough into a pretzel;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on an enlarged scale of portions of the tying head, taken approxiinately on line 7-7 of Fig. 23;,

Fig. 8 is a cross section of the lower fe'r plate taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 37;

. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on line 9-9 of Fig. 7of the tying head, showing the main operating cam, the pickup bar, star wheel and operating connections therefor, the parts occupying an intermediate position in a cycle of operation;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

grid pretzel trans- Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section, on line 11-11 ofFig. 9;

Figs. 12-14 are vertical sections, on lines 12-12, 13-

. 13,"and 14-14 respectively of Fig. 9, illustrating parts 7 of the clutch drive for the main cam;

Fig. 15 is a sectional elevation,-on line 15-15 of Fig. 9,. showing the drive connections between the main cam and the pick-up bar, the star wheel, the pretzel forming plate and the transfer plate;

Fig. 16' is a sectional elevation of the clutch control means, on line 16-16 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a fragmentary cross section on line 18-18 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 19 is a vertical section of the tying head on line 19 19 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 20 is a sectional elevation of a clutch for effecting quarter turns of the star wheel;

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation of a similar device for controlling half turns of certain parts of the tying head; Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation of a yielding stop device for controlling the stop positions of the star wheel; Fig. 23 is a fragmentary front elevation of the tying head, with portions in the rear thereof omitted for clarity; Fig 24 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the tying head, taken approximately on line 24-24 of Fig. 7; Fig. 25 is a cross section on line 25-25 of Fig. 24; Fig. 26 is a similar view on line 26-26 of Fig. 24; Fig. 27 is aplan view, partly in section,- of the pretzel tying or forming plate and associated parts, the movable knife being omitted; M Fig. 28 is a similar view lated parts; Fig. 29 is a cross 29-29 of Fig. 27; I

Fig. 30 is a detail of means for stationarily securing the position for one row delivery of the transfer plate and resection, on an enlarged scale, on line 7 Fig. 31 is a transverse view of mechanism for cutting dough sticks, taken approximately on line 31-31 of Fig. 23

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of parts of V the tying head, on line 32-32 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 33 is a fragmentary sectional elevation, taken approximately 'on line 33-33 of Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of a portion of the knife actuating means shown in Fig. 31; I

Fig. 35 is a sectional elevation thereof on line 35-3 of Fig. 31; L i

Fig. 36 is a development of the track for the operating cam for effecting two row delivery movements of the transfer plate;

Fig. 37 is an enlarged planview of the transfer plate;

Fig. 38 is a vertical section thereof, on line 38-38 of Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is a fragmentary vertical section thereof on line 39-39 of Fig. 37; ,1

Figs. 40-42 are diagrammatic views illustrating the adjustability of the transfer plate to meet varying delivery.

requirements; 7

Fig. 43 is a reduced plan view of the delivery of two rows of pretzels upon a receiving element by the transfer plate;

Fig. 44 is a lengthwise section of one form of the pick-up bar, showing one of the'dough stick receiving cavities-taken along line 44-44 of Fig. 7;

. Fig. 45 is a section thereof, on line 4-5-45 of Fig. 44;

Figs. 46-48 are fragmentary plan views illustrating the operation of one of the pairs of stick-lifting and carrying fingers in relation to the stick cutting means during a cycle of operation;

Fig. 49 is a section on line 49-49 of Fig. 48;

Fig. 50 is a fragmentary plan illustrating the fingers as applying an end portion of the stick to a loop of the pretzel;

Fig. 51 illustrates the same feature after the fingers have retracted from the pretzel; and

Figs. 52-53 illustrate portions of a star wheel whose construction is different from that shown elesewhere in the drawings.

'Gobs of'dough are delivered from a measuring and cutting machine (not shown) which may be of the type illustrated in Weida Patent No. 2,342,093, between a pair of opposed endless belts 10 and 11 which shape the gob of dough into along stick. The front or discharge end portions of the belts or aprons it and 11, which pass respectively over rolls 13 and 14, are shown in Figs.

1 and 7. Adjacent runs of aprons It and 11 are substan: tially parallel, the shaft of roll'13 and the other roll (not shown) supporting belt 10 are carried by a frame 12 which is adjusted by suitable mechanism such as shown in the Weida Patent No. 2,295,246 to vary the spacing between the adjacent runs of aprons 10 and 11 and thereby produce dough sticks X of the desired diameter. The

shaft of roll 14 is suitably supportedin a sub-frame (not shown) which is carried on the main frame M. Frame M includes a pair of horizontal side channels 15 extending longitudinally of the machine "and each supporting .a

plate 16. A pair of plates 17 and E8 WlIOSB f I'QHC ends are shown in Fig. 7 are supported from frame 12 and the frame supporting roll 14 to maintain the opposed runs of bells 10 and 11 in operative relationship. Since discharges the sticks upon a pivoted inclined plate'or'trap' T, Fig. 7, over. which the stick rolls into one of four radially disposed channels of a star wheel S.

A quarter turn of wheel S discharges each stick X in succession, so that it comes to'rest in a substantially straight line on the rear portion of an upper or pretzel forming or tying grid G and upon portions of a relatively stationary table 20 with which the grid is associated. Tying devices operate upon the sticks to form them into pretzels on the grid G. From there the finished pretzels agree 4.07

are discharged upon a lower transfer plate or grid L which, in turn drops them upon an endless belt conveyor or other suitable element B for removal of the pretzels from the machine and delivery to a bake oven. All of the foregoing mechanisms for receiving the sticks X, forming them into pretzels and delivering them as described, are actuated by mechanism hereinafter described which are operated by a main cam member C (Figs. 1, 7 and 9) comprising a series of cam tracks or elements grouped together on a main cam shaft 22 rotatably mounted in the tying head H.

The head H (Fig. 23) is an upright framelike structure including an upper hollow transverse horizontal cross piece 24, the opposite ends of which are bolted to the upper ends of left and right hand upright housings 25 and 26 which are supported upon the inner ends of plates 16. The stationary table 29, which was previously referred to, extends between and is rigidly secured to lugs on the inner sides of the housings 25 and 26, at a distance below the cross piece 24. A film rigid tying head frame is thus provided.

The main cam shaft 22 is driven at a suitable speed for the cams to control actuation of the various mechanisms to eifeot their movement at the desired time in each cycle of operation. In the illustrated arrangement the cam shaft 22 is supported by housings or hollow uprights 25 and 26 and driven through the rotation of a sprocket wheel 36 (Figs. 1 and 9) Whose hub is axially aligned with shaft 22 and supported in a bracket 31 extending upwardly from the main frame. Rotation of sprocket wheel 36 is effected by a sprocket chain 32 extending rearwardly (Fig. l) and driven by a sprocket 34 fixed to a horizontal jack shaft 35 extending transversely underneath the upper run of belt 1i). Shaft 35 is by suitable connections (not shown) operatively connected to a main shaft or other suitable source of power. Shaft 35 also carries a sprocket 36 driving a chain 38 having suitable connections (Fig. l) for driving the rolls 13 and 14 of aprons 1i and 11.

The driving connection between shaft 22 and sprocket 30, see Figs. 9 and 10, comprises a stud 4i projecting sufficiently from the face of the sprocket to extend into the path of and engage with a finger or lug 42 extending radially from the outer end of a horizontal driving sleeve 44 which has an axial bore from which one end of shaft 22 protrudes.

The sleeve 44 has a reduced section journaled in a bearing 46 in the outer wall of housing as and at its inner end it carries a bearing 48 for rotatably supporting one end of the shaft 22. The opposite end of shaft 22 is mounted in a bearing 49 in the inner wall of housing 25, Fig. 9. A washer 58 secured by a clamp nut 51 to the right hand end of the shaft 22 revolves in a seat in the end of the driving sleeve 44 and serves to retain these parts in proper relation. The inner end of the sleeve 44 has an enlargement 52 from the transverse end face of which project a pair of diametrically opposite conical ended driving pins 56 which are fixed in the sleeve.

The rotation of sprocket 3G in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 7, will cause stud 49 to engage finger 42 and rotate driving sleeve 44. To effect rotation of shaft 22 there is keyed to shaft 22 adjacent the inner end of sleeve 44, a driven collar 58 which carries a pair of longitudinal pins 68 having conical heads which project sufficiently to be engaged by the pins 55 on sleeve 44. The pins 60 extend through bores 61 in collar 58 and are releasably maintained in operative position with their conical heads protruding from bores 61 by studs 62, Fig. 13, which are located in transverse holes in the collar and engage with beveled reduced diameter seats formed by circumferential grooves in the pins 68. The studs 62 are provided with axial bores in which springs 63 are mounted. The outer ends of springs 63 engage screws 64 threaded into the collar 58, so that the spring pressure can be adjusted by turning screws 64, and thus allow the pins 60 to remain in engagement with pins 56 under normal operating conditions.

It will be noted that one pair of pins 56, 60 is arranged closer to the shaft axis than the other pair of pins. This allows driving engagement of pins 56, 60 in only one position of the collar 58 with respect to the driving sleeve 44 while the latter is driven through its lug 42 from sprocket 36. This prevents operation of parts on the tying head from being effected while the collar 58 is a half turn out of line, or out of time. The foregoing arrangement will provide continuous rotation of cam L, and shaft 22. Should an abnormal condition arise, such as jamming of driven parts or overload, pins 60 will be shifted endwise to the left against the holding action of studs 62, thus releasing the driving connection between pins 56 and 69. This will cause shaft 22 to come to rest even though sprocket 30 continues to rotate.

It is also necessary to provide some manually actuated means for such disengagement of pins 56, 60 which may comprise (see Figs. 9, l6 and 17), a shift collar 68 slidable and rotatable on shaft 22 at the left of driven sleeve 58. An annular groove 70 in this collar admits shift studs or rollers 71 of conventional construction carried by a yoke 72 which is provided with a hand lever 73. Yoke 72 is pivoted on a shaft 74 supported in the ends of arms 75 projecting from the adjacent upright 26. Shift collar 68 has a disk portion 78, Figs. 9 and 14, which engages a groove 79 in the adjacent end of each pin 61). The disk 78 is substantially circular, except for a straight or flat section which is adapted to enter the groove 79 of the pin 60 which is nearest to the shaft axis. Under operating conditions there would be a tendency for this pin 69 to bind following any slight relative movement. This is overcome by a pair of pins 82, Figs. 13 and 14, which project from the end of sleeve 58 and bear on the flat section 80 at either side of pin 60 and act to take up thrust in either direction under driving conditions.

There is also provided a device for operatively connecting the deflector plate T to the shift lever 73 so that the plate T would be automatically shifted to divert sticks from the star wheel S in case something goes Wrong, for example, if the gripper fingers should fail to seize the previously delivered sticks properly. For this purpose an arm 82 extending laterally from the hub of yoke 72 loosely receives in an aperture at its free end, the upper end of a link 84 Figs. 16 and 17). The lower end of the link passes loosely through a hole in an arm 85 secured to one end of the hub of plate T which is pivotally supported from housings 25 and 26. A suitable nut or block 86 is threaded on link 84 below arm 85 and acts to engage and lift arm 85 when the lever 73 is either shifted to the left by hand or when sleeve 68 is displaced axially in the same direction by an overload.

A hand lever 88 extending forwardly and upwardly from the hub of arm 85 can be actuated independently of lever 73 to move plate T, when lever 73 is at its operative position (to the right in Fig. 9) without shifting the latter. If lever 73 is in its released position (to the left in Fig. 9) the plate T will be at inoperative position and manual displacement of lever 88 to return plate T to its operative position will also return lever 73, shift collar 68 and pins 60 to driving position, through link 84. Shifting lever 73 to the right under similar conditions merely causes link 84 to be lowered whence it would move through hole in arm 85- without shifting plate T. Lever 88, however, could then be moved to return plate T to operative position if desired.

Accordingly if lever 88 is manually displaced to the dotted position shown in Fig. 7 the dough sticks are diverted by plate T and delivered to a chute A down which they roll on to a conveyor C1; The sticks thus.

diverted are returned by conveyor C1 to a position at which they may be picked up and inserted into the dough measuring machine.

Pick-up bttr and star wheel This bar is generally of the same form shown in Weida Patent No. 2,295,246, and extends across the belts 10 and 11 and is provided with two deep pockets having arched or raised central portions. shown in Fig. 44 to cause the center portion of the stick to be disposed ahead of its ends when it rolls out the pocket. The mounting and operation of the pick-up bar is novel and is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 16. At each of its ends the bar has a transverse central groove 98 for the reception of a diametral tongue 92 which is releasably held in place by a set screw 93 passing through the bar and tongue. The right hand tongue 92 is secured to a split hub 94 which is secured on the inner end of a stub shaft 95 forming a pivot for one end. of the pick-up bar; This pivot is rotatable in a bearing-sleeve 96 mounted in the inner of upright 26, and the hub 94 can be turned or adjusted relatively to. said pivot to position the bar in a predetermined position and the hub 94'then'can be secured on said pivot by tightening screws 93. The'left hand tongue 92 is fastened to the bar by a screw 93 and is secured to a hub 97 in which the pivot 99 for the other end of the pick-up bar is secured. The pivot 99 is journaled in a bearing 100 in the housing 25. Lntermi ttent one-half revolutions of the pick-up. bar P are producedin a manner which will now be described. A portion of the body 52 of drive sleeve 4 is turned down to an eccentric 1110a, See Figs, 9 and 11, which is embraced by an eccentric strap 161. an arm 102 extending downwardly within the interior of housing 26 and pivotally connected at its lower end to an 104' of a gear sector 165 pivoted on a stud 106 secured in the inner face of the inner wall of housing 26. This sector meshes with a gear pinion 198 turning on the'bearing sleeve 96 of pivot 95.

On strap 1 i1 is,

. viously explained. The other hub 117 is secured on a The, gear 108 is loosely mounted on sleeve 96 and carries a, clutch; device whose construction is shown in Fig. 21, for giving the pick-up bar its one-half revolution turns. This device includes a hub 11%} fixed on shaft 95 and surrounded by a split cam sleeve consisting of two cam sections 119:: which project from one end face of gear 193; and are eccentric to the axis of shaft 95. A pin 11% is mounted in aligned radial holes of hub 110 and shaft 95 and pressed by compression spring116c against the inner face of one of the cam sections. 110a, Thus, while the gear 113-5 rotates in one direction or the other upon oscillation of sector 165, the bar; P will turn only in one direction as one or the other; of the inner ends of the two cam sections 116a bears-against the side of the spring pressed pin 11% while the gear 1%, turns in a clockwise direction '(Fig. 21). When gear 108 turns in the opposite direction the camsections 1111:; slide over the end of the pin 11Gb and the pick-up bar remains stationary.

V Locating means is provided at the other end of the pick-up. bar to. releasably hold the bar in each half turn position. 1 A spring pressed detent or ball 111 (Fig. 19-) ismounted in, a socket 112a of a sleeve 112 which surrounds. hub 97-. Sleeve 112 is held against housing 25 by clamps 113 which.are retained by screws 1135;. The ball 111may snap intdone or the other of diametrically Opposed recesses 114. in hub 97, see Fig. 9. Upon loosening clamp screws 113a (Fig. 19 the sleeve 112 can be turnedto properly locate the stopping point of the pick-up ban. -The detent for the star wheel. S is shown on Fig. 9 directly below the pick-up bar locating means just described. It will be noted that all inter mittently rotated parts, such as the. pick-up bar, the star wheel, and the upper and lower grids are provided with clutch devices for turning them a fraction ofa rotation and detents or locating-means for holding them stationary af er hey avq n urned h equ red. r q io ltumt '8 Fig; 22 shows in detail the quarter turn detentfor the star wheel S, andthe clutch for turning the same a quarter turn is shown in Fig. 20. The detent for star wheel S consists of a sleeve 116a surrounding a hub 116' fastened on shaft 118 journaled in housing 25. Sleeve 116a is clamped to housing 25 and provided with a socket 11622 in which is mounted a spring pressed ball 1160 adapted to engage one of four equally spaced recesses 116d in the hub 116. The construction of the clutch for turning shaft 118 will be hereinafter described.

Referring back to the mounting means for the pick-up bar, it will be noted that advantage may be taken of the arrangement shown to dismount the bar from the machine merely by loosening the two screws 93. This will allow the bar to be slid edgewise off the tongue 92. A, some what similar mounting is used for the star wheel S, see Fig. 9. The opposite ends of the four radial arms of the bar are received in crossed slots in hubs 116, 117 at left and right, respectively. Hub 116 is releasably held by the spring detent in any one of four positions, as prepivot shaft 120 turning in a bearing in the housing 26. This pivot 12% is releasably held in position by a split or spring ring 122, engaging in an annular groove in the pivot shaft and contacting a flange of the bearing in the housing. There is suflicient space from the ring 122 to 7' the adjacent face of hub 117 so that upon removing ring 122 the pivot shaft 121} and the attached hub. 117 can be shifted to the right to disengage it frorn the adjoining end of the star wheel S. V The star Wheel itself can now be moved.

Mechanism for driving the star wheel 5 is best seen in Figs. 9, 15 and 18." This mechanism is arranged in the housing 25 and includes a cam disk 125 fastened to the end of cam shaft 22, and having a cam'track 126 which engages a cam roller 128. This roller is pivoted on a cam lever 129 (not shown in Fig. 9) fulcrumed on a stud'130 carried by a bracket 131. The lower end of lever 129 is pivotally connected to one end of a transverse link 132 whose other end is pivoted at 134 to a gear sector 135. Sector 135 is mounted to oscillate on a bearing on a stud 136 secured in the wall of housing '25 (Fig. 18). Sector 135 meshes with and turns a gear 140 to and fro. Gear 1411 is rotatable on pivot shaft 118 of the star wheel and it carries the clutch device shown in Fig. 20. This'clutch includes a hub 142 clamped on shaft 118 and having a radial hole in which a spring pressed pin 142a is mounted to engage the inner face of the cam sections 14-3 ,which.

project from one end face of gear 141). The cam sections 143 are eccentric with respect to the axis of shaft 118, and when pin 142a engages the inner end of one cam section 143-while gear 140 turns in a clockwise direction (Fig. 20)'the shaft 113 is turned a fourth of one revolution. When gear 140 turns in the opposite direction, shaft 113 remains stationary. The clutch is arranged with respect to gear 146 to shift star wheel in the proper direction and at correct time to deliver the sticks upon upper grid G as needed. The hub. portion 142 issplit so that it can be turned and clamped to pivot shaft 118 to cause the star wheel 5 to come to rest in correct positions.

As seen in Fig. 15, gear 149 meshes with an idler 144 pivoted on a plate 145 fixed in the interior of housing 25. This gear 144 meshes with a gear 146 which is provided with a clutch 147 similar to that shown in Fig. 21 and arranged on the shaft 148 of the upper grid G, to give the latter one-half revolution turns'in a clockwisedirection with a horizontal position of rest, shown in Fig. 27. Similar movements, alternating with those of grid G, are given 7 to lower grid L by another idler gear 150- journaled on releasably retaining the lower grid L in its half revolution position is indicated generally at 155, Figs. 11 and 28. The construction of said means substantially duplicates the half turn control described for the pick-up bar P.

The lower grid L, as will hereinafter be explained, may operate about a fixed axis for delivering one row of pretzels, or it may be adjusted so as to be shiftable alternately from one to another of two positions to effect two row delivery of pretzels. For this purpose there is provided a grid shift barrel cam 156 (Fig. 28) which is clamped on shaft 158 journaled in housing 25 and driven from cam shaft 22. Shaft 22 has fixed thereon, adjacent cam disk 125, a sprocket Wheel 160, Figs. 9 and 15. Sprocket 160 drives a chain 162 running over a sprocket gear 163, the hub of which is mounted on stub shaft 164 (Fig. 18) and has formed thereon a smaller sprocket 165. The latter through chain 166 drives another sprocket 168 which is fixed on shaft 158 of cam 156. The sprocket chain drive just described is so designed that for each revolution of cam shaft 22 a half revolution of the lower cam shaft 158 is effected, thereby actuating cam 156 to shift the lower grid L from its receiving position for two row delivery which will be described later in detail. It should be noted that the cam 156 is not keyed on shaft 158 but is releasably clamped against a friction washer 238 interposed between one end of the cam and a collar 241 fixed on the shaft 158, by a lock nut 239 on the outer end of shaft 158. Index lines 240 on collar 241 and the cam body assist in positioning the cam properly when setting up the machine.

As shown in Figs. 15 and 18, take-up means are provided for the sprocket and chain drive. The stub shaft 164 for the combined sprockets 163 and 165 is mounted in a longitudinally adjustable yoke 170 whose opposite ends are slotted. The left hand slotted end of the yoke straddles the screw stud 136 which carries the sector 135 and is clamped thereon by nut 17 2. The other slotted end of the yoke is clamped by a screw 174 against an inner face of the housing 25. Thus the sprockets 163, 165 can be shifted to tighten chains 162, 166 relative to shafts 22 and 158 without disturbing other parts of the mechanism.

Upper grid Grid G includes a relatively thin plate 180 (Figs. 23 and 27) having extensions 182 projecting forwardly and rearwardly at opposite sides of the axis of shaft 148. Parts 182 each have arcuate ledges 183, preferably adjustably mounted and extending in spaced relation to a fixed marginal projection 184 and providing a space to receive the central portions of the sticks. Adjustment of ledges 183 may be made to accommodate sticks of varying diameters. The opposed pairs of parts 183 and 184 are on opposite faces of plate 180 so as to be alternately placed in position to receive the sticks each time plate 180 makes its half turn. Plate 180 also has opposite lateral extensions 185 which extend axially thereof and are fixed to sleeves 186 on the inner ends of shafts 148 and 148a. Adjacent to these sleeves the shafts 14S and 148a are held in bearings 188 on the stationary table 20.

The table 29 includes front and rear parallel bars or portions 190, 192 respectively (Figs. 7 and 27) the opposite ends of which are connected to opposite lateral extensions 194 of the table. The bar 192 has a rear upstanding rib 196 provided on its inner face with a ledge 197 in which is formed a shallow trough 198 for receiving the dough stick. This ledge is cut away along its central portion to provide a space through which the adjacent parts 182 of the plate G may move. The space between the ledge 197 and the projections 184 on parts 182, which admits the central portions of the dough sticks, is aligned with the trough 198 when either of the parts 182 enters the space provided in ledge 197.

Rollers 200 which have grooved peripheries, are arranged in pairs at equal distances from and at opposite sides of the front to rear axis of the plate 180. The upper roller of each pair has its base aligned with the upper face of plate 180, each roller having an axial screw or pivot 200a passing through it into a wedge-shaped carrier or block 201 to support the rollers for free rota tion on the flat, angula-r ly related faces of those blocks (Fig. 29). Each block 201 is freely pivoted on a pin 201a located at the inner side of holes 282 in tne plate 180, and one or the other of two spaced ledges on the ends of the blocks remote from the pins 201a rest on shoulders formed on plate 180 at the underlying side of .the holes. In this position the rollers, which are at that time above the plate rest in a horizontal position as shown. The other or lower roller of each pair will then extend in angular relation to the top roller and to the plate at the under side thereof. It will be noted that the diameter of the rollers at the top portion of the rollers is less than the bottom diameter, thus giving assurance of free release of pretzels when the rollers are at the lower side of the plate as indicated in Fig. 29. A greatly improved result gained by the use of the freely rotatable rollers 200 is that the stick, as it is drawn around the rollers by mechanism hereinafter described in forming loops, is prevented from being excessively stretched or weakened; since tension or friction, such as occurred on the fixed cones of earlier constructions, is greatly reduced, so that the dough in these areas remains of uniform diameter, density and texture. It should be noted that while the ends of the stick are being looped around rollers 200 the mid-section thereof is maintained in a predetermined position by the ledge 183.

After the stick has been deposited by the star wheel S on the ledges 197 of table 20 with its :central portion on plate 180, it must be cut to the desired length before being engaged by the gripper fingers. For this purpose there is mounted at each end of table 20, beyond the ends of bar 192, a ledger plate or stationary knife 204 (Figs. 23, 27 and 31). Each knife 204 is formed of an angle bar whose horizontal flange is adjustably secured to the top face of table 20 to enable knife 204 to be adjusted with respect to a movable knife which is not shown in Fig. 27. The upright flange of each knife 204 is provided with an arcuate seat 205 (Fig. 3 1) in which rests the end of the dough stick protruding from trough 198. The relatively short end port-ions of the stick projecting beyond the seats 205 are unsupported so that they tend to bend downward slightly under their own weight. This causes the dough at the cutting edges of knives 204 .to be somewhat under tension, and it is found that this causes a cleaner cut to be made without sticking of the severed end to the movable knife.

The movable knives 208 are right and left hand, and each is formed of a flat steel strip which is sharpened at one end and bent to extend parallel with the cutting flange of knife 204. Each knife 208 is adjustably fastened to the front face of a casting 210 (Figs. 23, 34 and 35). Each casting has spaced depending lugs 211 which straddle :a plate 212 fixed to the top of table 20 and are pivotally mounted on .a pin supported by plate 212. In end elevation, piece 210 resembles I3. bell-crank in one arm of which is located the pivot 21-4. At the other extremity of one of the pieces 210 is a lug 215 to which the lower end of an actuating arm 216 is pivotally connected (Figs. 31 and This rod or arm 216 extends upwardly and rearwardly alongside of the inner face of housing 25 and is yield-ingly mounted, as shown in Fig. 19, for endwise movement to rock casting 218 about pivot 214 and thereby obtain the cutting action of knife 208. For this purpose, the upper part of rod 216 passes through a sleeve 220 fixed to the inner side of housing 25. On the portion of rod 216 within sleeve 220 is secured a collar 221 which engages a coil spring 222 seated on the bottom of sleeve 220. Spring 222 thereby presses a roller 223 pivoted at the upper end of rod 216 against a cam 224, see Fig. '19. This cam is fixed to cam shaft 22 to turn therewith and has an abrupt step 225 operable to swing casting 210 suddenly about pivot 214 in a direction to carry knife 208 alongside knife 20410 sever the dough stick cleanly at the. propertime. To etfeotsimult-aneons and like movement. of both knives v208 the castingstare connected by a link 23.0 toflthe upper ends of rocker arms 232 which'are fixed at their lower ends to a rocker shaft 234 extending across the front of the tying head. The front bar 190 of table 20 is of inverted U-shape for receiving'and forming a protective hood for rockershaft 234 (Figs; 7 and 27).

When the upper grid G is inverted, after the ends of :the pretzel stick have been looped and twisted together and tacked to the main portion of stick by mechanism hoeinafter described, the pretzel so formed is deposited on the lower grid or pretzel transfer plate. During the inversion of grid 6 the blocks 291 will swing toward each other to assure the release of the pretzel from rollers 200.v

Lower grid described,

Grid L carries at opposite'ends thereof trunnions 245 which are rotatable in bearings 246 in opposite lugs 247 (Fig. 7) extending downwardly from opposite side mem =bers 248 and 249 of a rectangular frame 250. This frame is mounted for forward movement, Fig. 28, in a. horizontal plane.

the latter are pivotally connected by pins 254th: free ends of a pairof parallel levers 256. Levers 256 are fulcrumed on studs 257 which pass through-a bottom plate 258 (Figs. 23 and 28) and through the hubs of thellevers into bosses 259' depending from the adjacent end portion 194 of table 29 (Figs. 23 and 27 One of the levers 256 has an arm 260 extending from its hub to form a bell crank. Arm v266 carries aroller or cam follower 261 which engages in the cam track 262 of earn 156. A development of thistrack is shown in Fig. 36 and be later described. a

Extending between the left hand trunnion 245 of the grid Land the grid. drive shaft 154 isla sh aft'section 264 which is connected to the same by universal joints. 7 The right hand side member 249 of frame 250 has alater-al projection 2 65'provi'ded with a'stud carrying :a roller 266.

l his roller serves to support the adjoining end of frame 250 by engagement between the lower face 268 of the table20 and an opposed face 269 of a track'bar 270 fastened to a transverse rib on said table-20 (Figs. 28

and 30). V

The slide block 253 may be held in any selected rela- 77 tion to frame 250 to allow the frame to shift as a unit with the slide, by an adjusting screw 272 which is threaded into the front end of the block and supported by a split clamp block 274 carried on a clamp screw 275 threaded. into the front end of the side member 248. The block 274 may be tightened to grip the screw 272 byrotation of the clamp screw 27S. Upon loosening screw 275 the adjusting screw 272 may be turned to advance or retractthe frame 250 relatively to the block 253.

256 during thisadjustment, it is evident that manipulation of screw 272 will displace frame250 and thus the grid Since the I block 253 always'remains in the same relation to levers The left hand side member 248 of frame I 259 has achannel 252' on its bottom which guides an adjustable slide or block 253. To the bottom faceof position 281 in track 262 to the position 280, into its pickup position where a pretzel will be dumped from grid G upon grid L. The latter will then move to its forward position when cam roller 261 reaches position 282, and upon making a half turn it drops the pretzel upon belt B. The frame and overturned grid will not return'to pick-up position to receive another pretzel when cam roller 261 reaches the other point 280 of track 262, and will then proceed to the rear while the cam roller 261 moves to position 281 of track 262. At the rear position the grid L will again turn over and deposit another pretzel on the belt. Thus pretzels are arranged on conveyor B in the manner shown in Fig. 43 in two rows in staggered relationship.

Referring now to the specific construction of the lower grid (Figs. 37-39) it will be found that the trunnions 245 are secured to the opposite ends of a thin narrow supporting strip 285. On each face of this strip is adjusta 286. Nuts on the studs 238 serve to clamp the sections 286 to the strip 285. Under normal conditions the two sections will register or be in alignment one over'the other, as shown in Figs. 8 and 28. longitudinal axis of each section 286 and equidistant from the transverse axis there is mounted a pair of upwardly projecting cones or pegs 29 9; The cones are adjustably positioned on sections 286 so that the loops of the pretzels will drop down around the cones for locating the pretzel in desired relation to the grid.

Owing to different conditions of dough, pretzel, size and speed of delivery, slight differences in the position of the pretzels on the grid do occur. in order to accommodate such variations, each cone 295} is secured to a section 286 by a screw 292 passing upwardly through a longitudinal slot 293 in the section into .a threaded hole in the cone base, see Fig. 39.. This hole is eccentric to the axis of the cone. them on their screws, or both, a very close adjustment of the cones on the sections for meeting any normal or usual requirements is thus available. In addition each grid section 286 has adjustably secured, centrally thereof,

a block or projection 294 having intersecting inclined top faces 295 and 295a shown in Figs. 8 and 37. These elements act as impact members against or upon the upper 'face 295 of which the knot of a pretzel engages as it drops under the lower grid. It should be noted that the impact is suflicient to effect good adhesion of the knot portions, Moreover the top face section 295a of block 294 (Fig.

' 8), which has a steep inclination, engages the portion of V the pretzel intermediate the sections of the pretzel to which the pretzel ends are tacked. Since the cones 290 engage the inner sides of the loop portions of the pretzel, it will be induced to square up and spread into proper V shape as the portion of the pretzel overlying face 295av tends to slide down face 295a. 1 a

Each part 294 is mounted for fore and aft adjustments, having a longitudinalychannel I'ittingover a guide rib 296 on the grid section to which it is secured. A screw 2% is threadedin each block 294- and engages a groove in the guide rib to secure the block in the adjusted position.- It

is intended that theco'nes' 296 and blocks 294 should act to minimize contact of pretzels with, the grid plates or Rearwardly of the By sliding the cones along slots 293 or turning sections. Thus the loops should fall around and rest on the conical faces of cones 290, rather than slide down these cones to their bases, while the knot portion of the pretzel rests on face 295. In the foregoing description it has been assumed that the grid sections 286 are mounted directly over or in register with each other along their front and rear edges. However, upon releasing the nuts on the screw studs 288, these plate sections can be shifted to various extents and arrangements within the limits of slots 289. The full use of these adjustments will be described later.

For two row delivery of the pretzels the lower end of a screw 300 (Figs. 23 and 30), which is threaded in a hole in the right hand extension 194 of the table 20 and is locked by a nut 302, is out of contact with extension 265 of lower grid L so that the latter can freely oscillate. When change to one row delivery is desired, the nut 239 which holds the cam 156 on its shaft is loosened and the frame 250 is shifted to bring grid L to its central or pretzel receiving position with respect to grid G. Frame 250 is then locked in its adjusted position by loosening nut 302 and turning screw 300 down to bear firmly on the extension 265 of frame 250 and then tightening nut 302. Thus, while the driving mechanism for the cam 156 continues to operate, its action will have no effect on the loosened cam 156. Grid L will therefore remain stationary and turn about a stationary axis receiving the pretzels from grid G and delivering them all in the same path on the belt B below. It should be clear that when grid L and frame 250 are thus shifted from the rear position shown in Fig. 28 to the central or pick-up position, the parallel levers 256 and link 264 will swing to right about their pivots. Thus the extension 265 of frame 250 will enter the track formed between members 268 and 269 and come to rest under the screw 300 at the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 28 and in full lines in Fig. 30. When returning to two-row delivery, the screw 300 is disengaged from extension 265 and locked in its freed position. The cam 156 is reset in correct position by registering the index lines 240 as previously stated.

The construction and operating connections of the lower grid L now having been described in general, a more specific and detailed explanation of the advantages gained by this arrangement will follow, reference being directed particularly to Fig. 37 and Figs. 40-42. Assuming that a normal or medium speed of production of pretzels on this machine may he, say fifty per minute, the distance E in Fig. 40 may represent the offset of the longitudinal axis 280a of the lower grid with respect to the longitudinal axis 1480 of the upper grid G to enable the pretzels to be properly received on grid L from grid G. It will be observed that when the upper grid G revolves the pretzel will be dropped through an arcuate path on lower grid L. Now if the delivery speed is reduced to, say forty per minute, the distance E must be reduced somewhat, since at that slower speed the pretzel path from grid G to grid L will be less arcuate. In other words the trajectory will be flatter. This is, of course, due to the fact that the machine setting will cause a slower rotation of grid G. If, however, it is desired to increase delivery to a maximum speed of, say sixty per minute, distance E must be increased correspondingly. Under any of the above conditions or any intermediate adjustments, the pretzels will fall well within the edges of belt B when the machine is set for one row delivery. The foregoing changes in the position of the axis 280a with respect to axis 148:: are made by adjustment of the frame 250 relatively to the block 253, as previously explained.

Due to the limitations resulting from the short time available in a single cycle of the machine it is impossible to effect rotation of the lower grid during two row operation while its axis is stationary at either end of its travel. Consequently the rotation of grid L oommences before it has reached itsfront and rear positions.

Thus its movement to these positions is a simultaneous traveling and rotation of the grid near the ends of its movements to these positions. Added to this is the fact that, as shown in Fig. 41, there is a difference in the throw of the pretzel at the front position relatively to that when thrown from the rear position. This is represented by the distances H and K respectively from the axis 280a to the center of the pretzel deposited on belt B, and is due to the fact that rotation of the grid L in the rear position is in an opposite direction to the direction of travel of grid L to the rear. H is therefore shorter than K, where the rotation of grid L is in the same direction as the direction of travel, resulting in a relatively greater speed of deposit of the pretzel and consequently the pretzel travels in a greater arc while being deposited at that point. The cumulative results of these conditions gives wide variations at different speeds in the positions where pretzels are delivered in two rows on belt B. The dimension line R (Figs. 41 and 42) represents the distance between the outer edges of the pretzels in the two rows. Under some conditions the pretzels will not fall in desired positions between the edges of the belt and may even project beyond the belt at one side or the other.

To compensate for such conditions, especially where the belt location is fixed, the proper axial ofiiset is obtained according to delivery speed, when the grid plates 286 are shifted relatively to strip 285 upon unloosening the bolts 288 passing through the slots 289 of the plates (Figs. 37, 41 and 42). This, in effect, gives a re-location of the axis 280a of grid L with respect to the grid itself. Shifting plates 286 to one side as shown in Fig. 41 will correct the trouble and give desired spacing R of the pretzels at low speeds, while shifting the plates 286 in the opposite direction (Fig. 42) will give the desired result at high speeds. In the first instance the turning radius of the cones 290 about the longitudinal axis of the lower grid is increased, while in the second case the turning radius of these cones about the same axis is decreased, both relatively to a normal radius with the two plates 286 in register. Thus proper placing of two rows of pretzels on belt B in the same location may be had at any speed within machine range. In each case the pretzels dropped from the grid G on grid L will be supported by block 295 and cones 290 of the latter in positions wherein their turning radius will be increased or decreased depending upon the adjustment of plates 286. Such adjustments also help to compensate for variations in dough mixtures of varying consistency, humidity, temperature changes and other factors, including variable degree of dough adhesion to the plates 286. It will be noted that when the plates 286 are adjusted that the cones 290 should be adjusted in the slots 293 and also about the eccentric screws until they are found to be in the proper positions to support the pretzels. The same is true of the blocks 294 which should be similarly adjusted.

Pretzel tying devices For convenience, I have designated the seven cam tracks on main cam C (Fig. 1) as a, b, c, d, e, f and g, reading from left to right. Fig. 24 shows a rear elevation of the hollow cross piece 24, and here will be found seven cam followers or rollers which engage in the corresponding tracks. Cam rollers 312a and 312 engage tracks 0 and f of cam C and are mounted on bell crank levers 312 pivoted on studs 313 secured in member 24 and engaging rollers 314 on the stems 315 of the tampers 316 slidably mounted in guides 317 secured on member 24, to shift them up and down. The construction of the tampers 315 hereof is similar to that of the tampers 315 of Weida Patent No. 2,295,246 and they are similarly operated to press the ends of the pretzel against the main portion of the pretzel after said ends have been looped over one another in a manner hereinafter described.

' are. keyed thereon, see Fig. 33;

Cam follower 318a, Figs. 23 and24, engages track a of cam C and is supported at the free end of a lever 318 fulcrumed on a stub'shaft 319' (Fig. 26) supported by a bracket 320 and the rear wall of member 24. Fixed on shaft 3E9 is another arm 322 at the free end of which is pivoted a roller 324 engaging a transverse slot of a piece 325 carried at one end of a horizontal'rack-bar 326 (Figs. 23 and 32). Piece 325 is fastened on bar 326 by an eccentric stud 328 (Fig. 32). Only one rackbar is used instead of two as in former constructions. The rack-bar 326. is supported in guides 329 arranged within the interior of member 24 and serves to rotate the gear casings 330 about the axes of shafts 332. For this purpose shafts 332 are arranged in sleeves 333 which are rotatably and slidably mounted in member 24 and one gear segment 334 meshes directly with the rack bar 326 while the other gear segment 334 meshes with an idler gear 335 engaging rack teeth on an offset portion of the rack bar. Gear segments 334 are fastened to sleeves 333. This produces the desired opposite rotation of sleeves 333 together with the casings 330 which The upper ends of sleeves 333 have'collars 336 fixed thereon. grooves which engage rollers on levers 337 fulcrumed on shafts 338- supported in member 24. Shafts 3'38 carry arms 349 which carry cam rollers 34Gb and 340g engaging tracks 17 and g of cam C. The shape of tracks b and g of cam C is similar to that of cam tracks 355 and 365 of cam drum 335 of the above mentioned Weida Patent No. 2,295,246 in order to raise and lower the gripper fingers 356 and 359 which are supported from the casings 330 in amanner which will now be described. The shafts 332 have gears 342 secured on their lower ends and meshing with intermediate gears 343 mounted on stub shafts 344 journaled in casings 330. Gears 343 mesh with gears 345 fixed. on shafts 347 supported in casings 330. Since these gears are confined between the top. and bottom walls of gear casings 330, the casings 330 will be moved up and down with shafts 333.

Block s 349 are fastened on the lower ends of shafts 347 and carry right and left hand arms 350 and 351 respectively on. which are supported the rightandleft hand grippers 353 and 354. Each gripper 353 and 354 consists of fingers 356 and 359. Fingers 356 are rigidly connected to the arms 35% and 351 respectively. Each of the fingers 356 is provided with a vertical rib 356a and a lug 356b (Fig. 23). A pin 358 is supported in each rib 356a and 1ug356b. Each finger 359 (Fig. 7) has formed on its inner face a vertical rib 359a (Fig. 7) which is pivotally 'mounted on pin 358 adjacent the inner face of rib 356a.

A compression spring 36 is interposed between the upper ends of fingers 356 and 359 and serves to force the lower ends thereof together. A latch 363' is pivoted on a pin 362 which is supported by a lug 35951 of finger 359 (Fig. 23) and the rib 359a thereof. Latch, 363 has a shoulder engaging an abutment on finger 356 and serves to hold fingers 356 and 359 spread apart until the grippers in their downward movement reach the point at which they are ready to seize the dough stick. At this point. the end of. each latch 363, which projects through an opening in the corresponding finger 356, will strike the star wheel S V and thereby be raised sufliciently to permit the movable fingers 359 to close on the ends of the dough stick.

The grippers are thus actuated to seize the portions of the dough stick ends extending between the trough 198 and the ledger plates 2G4 (Figs. 23 and 27). The extreme ends of the dough stick projecting beyond the ledger plates 264 are severed by the knives 208 and the portions of the. dough stick'seized by the grippers are raised when the sleeves 332 are moved upwardly. While the gear casings 3359 are thus moved; upwardly by the upward movement of sleeves 333, and also rotated through the gear segments 334' fastened on sleeves 333, the shafts 332 are rotated to cause the shafts 347 to turn and there- Collars 336 are provided with circumferential 16 by move the grippers in dilferent paths which are fully described in the Curtis Patent No. 2,107,749 and Weida Patent No. 2,295,246. Thus the right hand end of the dough stick is moved in a predetermined path to complete a loop and the left hand end'of the stick is drawn through the first loop. At. the end of each loop forming operation the ends of the dough stickare tacked tothe: main portionof the pretzel by the tampers 316 which pass down betweenthe gripper fingers 356 and 359 and engage and force open. the movable finger 359to release the gripped pretzel ends. Since the construction of the mechanism for operating the tampers is similar to corresponding mechanism shown in Weida Patent No. 2,295,246, fur,

ther description thereof is deemed unnecessary..

To rotate shafts 332 relatively to sleeve 333 to swing. arms 35% and 351 relatively to casings 330, the upper ends of shafts 332 have pinions 460 fixed thereto; These pinions 464 are driven by gear sectors 462 (Figs; 23-25 ).f

Sectors 462 are fixed to shafts 463 journaled in brackets. 364 fastened on the top of member 24. On the lower. ends of shafts 463 are fastened cam levers 366 which carry cam rollers 365dand- 3662 engaging tracks d and e. of maincam- C. The pinions' 460 are long enough to remain inmesh with the segments 362 during the up and down movement of shafts 332. r

In the prior gripper constructions, as in Weida Patent 'No'. 2,295,246, either one or both of the gripper fingers. were bifurcated so that they could straddle the underlying stick portionwhen attaching the loop ends. when the tamper feet descended to press the loop ends against the portions of thedough stick towhich said. ends are'tacked, the pressure so applied caused the sides of the loop ends to protrude from under the portions of the gripper fingers straddling the dough stick. This pressure also flattened and distended the portions of the dough: stick underlying the loop ends against the portions of the bifurcated grippers disposed at either side thereof and there.- by formed indentations in said underlying portions of the dough stick. Moreover with the gripper construction of Weida Patent No. 2,295,246, a tail portion about A" long projects beyond the tacked portions of the loop ends, and may burn or become too crisp in baking.

in the present arrangement neither finger of each pair of grippers is bifurcated, but thetips of fingers 356 have broad and fiat ends 472, so that there is no opening into which the loop ends may protrude when pressed by the tamper feet. The narrow tip 470 of finger 359 is so formed chiefly to clear parts of table 20. When applying the ends of the loops upon the mainportion of the-pretzel,

the tips 479 and 472 do not descend far enough' to touch the main portion of the pretzel and thus cannot indent which does not project enough to burn iubaking.

Fig. 46 shows the tips 470 and 472 offingers 359 356 approaching the position shown in Figs. 47-49 wherein the ends of the dough stick areseized while surplus portions are being severed. Fig. 50- shows tips 476' and 472 in the position wherein. they apply the loop ends to the main portion of the pretzel. Fig; 51 illustrates the appearance of the loop end after it has beerr tacked or tamped against the main portion of the pretzel by the tampers 315. It may be noted that. the tampers in passing downwardly between the fingers 356: and 359 en gage the inclined portion of finger 359- and move it away from finger 356.

Due to tackiness of the dough under certain conditions, the sticks tend to adhere more or less to the pick up'bar and to the star wheel; It has-been customary to direct an air blast at the machine while it is running, preferably from the front, to assist in starting the curing of'the exterior faces of the dough sticks as they are delivered to and are formed into. pretzels on the In the form of pick-up bar P illustrated in Figs. 44 and '45 Therefore 

